Apartments in Batavia will house disabled veterans, says state

BATAVIA N.Y. (WHEC) — New York State announced the opening of an affordable apartment complex in Batavia on Tuesday that will house disabled veterans.

State funding helped to build the development with 55 apartments, 28 of which have support services intended to accommodate veterans with disabilities. The apartment complex is part of the Finger Lakes Forward initiative, to revitalize communities in the region and spark economic growth.

The apartments are at Liberty Square at 554 East Main Street, near Batavia’s city center. Three of the units have accommodations for people with vision or hearing impairments and six units will accommodate those with mobility impairments.

With the new development, Batavia will have nearly 110 designated affordable housing units. The state considered housing affordable if the monthly or yearly payment consumes less than 30% of a household’s income.

The state is also helping to fund the construction of a $24 million affordable apartment complex in Ellicott Station, Batavia, that will be energy efficient. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Finger Lakes Forward is helping Batavia to become affordable, equitable, and stable.

"Every New Yorker deserves a safe place to call home and a roof over their head, and today’s announcement will enhance the quality of life for dozens of families at Liberty Square and Ellicott Station," Hochul said.

$10.5 million of the funding for the Liberty Square apartments comes from the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $3.9 million comes from the state’s Supportive Housing Opportunity program. Home Leasing LLC executed the project and Eagle Star Housing installed the accommodations.

The new apartment complex has a fitness center and a community room. The building is near grocery stores, restaurants, and retail.

The 2023 New York State Budget includes $25 billion to support affordable housing projects over the course of five years. Hochul said the funding will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, 10,000 of which will support the disabled and other vulnerable populations.

The apartment complex in Ellicott Station, currently under construction, will be five stories with in-unit laundry, private balconies, and indoor parking. Much of the funding comes from state grants, including $1.9 million from the Finger Lakes Regional Council Capital Fund.